The Unedited 206

I was approached by Sony late last month to be one of 2 Seattle participants in their The Unedited 206 project. Similar projects are happening in major metropolitan cities throughout the U.S. Did I mention I WAS APPROACHED BY SONY? It's true! Once I got past the, "Whoa - Sony wants to see what I shoot" part, and agreed to their long contract and conditions, I moved on to feeling as if the world was sitting on my shoulders. Imagine how difficult it would be to shoot 50 photos (no deleting or editing) that depict "the 206" in your own eyes!

I'm known as being the go-to girl for all things Seattle, but I didn't want to include a steam of 50 typical Seattle scenes. The Pike Place Market, Washington State Ferries and Space Needle are fantastic - don't get me wrong - but I wanted my viewers (and Sony's) to understand the various threads that make up this truly dynamic city that I love. So I approached the project from an atypical standpoint: Behind the scenes. Tiny snippets of what make the city tick from my point of view. But to do it in 10 days? That'd be a challenge!
Diving into the project, I had a general idea of things I'd shoot, but no idea how I'd be able to get the perfect perspective on the first shot every time. While I've taken photos that I've loved in the past, I've also taken dozens of shots of one thing just to find the one perfect photo. The framework of the project allowed me only once chance - and I'd have to make it work!

The folks at the Sony store were great when I arrived to pick up my new NEX 5r. One of the girls at the store gave me a few ideas, and showed me some shots of the city she'd taken as inspiration and wished me luck. I headed out the door with camera in hand, and a bzillion ideas swirling through my head.

Last summer I purchased a fabulous DSLR Sony camera as a birthday present. Having all the bells, whistles and options for unlimited photographs (a huge step-up from my old point-and-shoot) opened a door for me. When I first saw the NEX5r, I didn't expect to love it. The body's small. It's fully electronic. It just didn't look like it'd offer anything near what my DSLR could. Boy, was I wrong! Not only does the NEX have every feature of my Sony Alpha, it also has some amazing built-in options too: Downloadable apps for the camera (and my smartphone) which allow me to use my phone as a remote shutter control, and allow me to immediately download photos wirelessly to my phone. Also, it has some great editing apps on the camera itself that let the images be modified before they're even downloaded! And with 16.1 megapixels? The images couldn't be more clear. Take a peek:

Mostly what I've learned from this is that Sony has some amazing cameras (and that I should never judge a book by its cover and that I can't wait to get out and take more shots of Seattle. Likely in the future, I'll try to make more albums of my photos with a distinctly clear theme. It's fun just imagining the possibilities!

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I did sign a hefty contract with Sony. The images from the project are theirs to keep (but I've been given permission to share a few, too). Now that the project's over, I'll keep the camera and its fabulous accessories (including a sweet telephone lens, too).

A Morning in the Market

Visiting Pike Place Market certainly isn't new to me. I work less than a 10-minute walk away, and my bus departs for home just 2 blocks up Pike from it - but the Market takes on a unique feel early in the morning on Sundays. It's this time of the day when the Market feels most unique and real to me. Not that it isn't the rest of the time, but as vendors are opening-up shop and stacking their wares is when they're most approachable to me. They'll chat more (albiet while they're unpacking), and you can really learn something from them when they haven't been sapped by their 1,000th question about the first Starbucks or the location of the bathrooms. I guess what I'm trying to say is that they're most personable at this hour. They ask more questions ("What's all the fish for?" "Inviting others to enjoy that, too?" "Live closeby?") and seem more sincere in wanting answers. Later in the day, their questions sound more contrived - although maybe it's just the way I perceive it as I've been taxed by questions, too, by day's end.

I love meandering through the maze of vehicles to my favorite fish shop in search of mussels or clams or smoked fish-bellies. I love the warmth my loaf of bread still holds - hearkening back to still being in their 'rising' stage when my eyes were still blisfully closed and my head on pillow. I love the freshness of the air - not yet tinged with spilled lattes and sun-warmed fish entrails. Even the wafting scents from Daily Dozen seem to linger as they dance to my nose to the music provided by buskers.

Every weekend should involve an early morning spent talking to vendors ... selecting fruit perfection ... gathering blossoms so bright they make you squint, and eyeing vendors with fresh smiles and witty banter. Is it too late to make a New Year's Resolution in August?